A historical environmental investigation at 13 European man – made mineral fibre production plants

This report describes an historical environmental investigation undertaken at thirteen European man-made mineral fibre (MMMF) production plants on behalf of the industries Joint European Medical Research Board. The work has been completed in conjunction with the International Agency for Research on Cancer who have been responsible for co-ordinating an epidemiological investigation of the health of workers at the same plants.The aims of the historical environmental study were twofold: firstly to make an assessment of occupational exposures to environmental agents which may be related to the incidence of lung cancer; and, secondly, to provide estimates of historical MMMF concentrations in the factories. This report summarises information, from the first phase of the work, obtained using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to each factory management.A variety of materials known or suspected of causing cancer have been used or were present in the factories; the principal agents being asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyl, ionising radiation, formaldehyde and slags containing toxic metals; e.g. arsenic. Of these, only the use of asbestos in one plant, and the contamination of a raw material at a second plant, provide a potential carcinogenic risk. A number of environmental factors relevant to the1 estimation of historical fibre levels have been identified. These include fibre diameter distribution in the bulk product, addition of oil to the MMMF, type of process – particularly labour intensive batch production processes, ventilation, respiratory protective equipment, cleaning and secondary processes.The technical history of the factories, based on these factors have been documented using a self-administered questionnaire. This information has been used to subdivide the plant’s production history into three time periods with qualitatively different environmental conditions. It is intended that these data will be used in the epidemiological study.Further work will be undertaken to provide estimates of historical fibre number concentrations. “”